Without You I Can Do Nothing: My Child's Prayer and My Pricked Heart

It's been about a couple of weeks since Danah (11), my daughter, took her state exams in reading and mathematics. As is customary, while picking up the kids and driving home yesterday, I asked how school was going ... and queried if she had gotten back the results to her TAKs state tests.

In her prissy manner, she remarked innocently, "I hope I passed".

Naturally, I thought to myself "Of course, you did, Danah. You have done exceptionally well in state testing throughout your school career. Last year, you only got 2 questions wrong on your reading test and 4 wrong in math".

While dotingly patting myself and her on the back ... she proceeded to say, " I prayed before taking my test, Daddy".

Once again, thinking to myself, I said introspectively, "No surprise. I'm sure you did, Danah. I know I used to pray before the big exams".

She pressed on and interrupted my thoughts with more....

.... (and what followed from her lips would move my eyes to tears and my heart to be pricked).

" I told Jesus that it didn't matter how smart I was. It doesn't matter how simple or hard the test is - without Him I can't do anything. I told him I really needed His help. "

I paused for awhile and blurted out, "That's, uh, good mama. That's how we all should pray".

She continued sheepishly, ....

"I also prayed for everyone in the classroom. I prayed that they all would pass. We just can't think about ourselves, Daddy. We need to think about others. I know how I would feel if I failed and I don't want them to go through that."

What a lesson learned!

God, I ask you to place in me the heart of this child. A contrite and humble heart that recognizes that I can do nothing without You. A heart that does not rely on my talents, abilities, self-sufficiency but one that places his trust wholly on You.

May I love others as you have commanded. Esteeming them as superior to myself. Empathizing with them in all things. Loving them as You do.

I also don't know what I've done to deserve such grace and mercy. Your tender mercies are new every morning.

How You have continued to shelter, bless and care for my children despite them having to be tossed to and fro ... is dumbfounding. Despite, the enormous guilt I feel for them, especially Danah, having witnessed a failed marraige .... Your Word has sprouted in them. Thank You for the increase.

Danah and Aaron, you may not realize it it but you are royalty. You are children of the King.

Lastly, Lord ... without You, I Can Do Nothing ...
With You, I can do ALL THINGS and ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.


John 15:15

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Matthew 19:26
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Phillipians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.